Local policing priorities for South Molton Rural

Consultation with the community has identified the following priorities in this neighbourhood.

Priority

Increased connectivity

South Molton Local policiing team, in conjunction with our new Police Support Volunteer Millie and Councillor Advocates, aims to increase and improve the quality and effectiveness of our connectivity and communication with the communities we serve.

Issued 19 April, 2018

Action taken

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 18/06/2018

Each Parish and Town Council now receive a newsletter on a monthly basis in addition to our monthly 'Police Blog' in the South Molton and District news publication.

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 19/04/2018

Monthly press communications completed by way of the 'Police Blog' in the South Molton and District news, monthly newsletters to Parish Councils and news update to the Molton Monthly publication. These are in addition to the social media outputs done locally and by the Force.

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 21/07/2018

Street briefing had on Wed 18th July with one of our new Cllr Advocates Steve Wilkinson at Chittlehamholt village shop. It was great for us to meet up in person and discuss current issues and campaigns with a view to forging a way forward for future communications.

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 25/09/2018

On Thursday 20th Sept 2018, a meeting was held of the South Molton and District Crime Prevention panel where it was decided to have a working smarter approach to linking in with rural and urban communities. Part of this involves the increased use of social media accounts (Our station Twitter and Facebook accounts are up and running now) and also by holding quarterly parish meetings with key stakeholders to discuss and deal with any issues or concerns raised.

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 07/07/2018

We are now on Twitter and have published our Connectivity Plan for our neighbourhood as per our news section.

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 26/11/2018

Pertinent updates continue on social media and other platforms in order to keep our communities 'in the know' with current patterns and initiatives. It is all working well as part of our connectivity plan, copy within our news section.

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 11/08/2018

Our very own Police Volunteer Millie has now created a Twitter and Facebook page for the station, the inception of which has received many positive comments from the community as to our increase in ability to share information and updates with them in 'quick time.'

Actioned 26 November, 2018

Priority

Safer driving

South Molton Local Policing team are actively engaged with promoting road safety initiatives across the area in an effort to improve driving standards, targeting the 'fatal five' distraction factors. This includes the use of mobile phones, failing to wear seat belts and speeding in the South Molton area.

Issued 19 April, 2018

Action taken

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 26/11/2018

High visibility patrolling carried out on the A361 North Devon link road by officers yesterday daytime along with a traffic operation targeting uninsured drivers elsewhere across the Force. Please click on below link for article:-

A joint road safety event was had on 29th and 31st May 2018 with our colleagues from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue. Please click on the following link for the news article in the North Devon Gazette.

Local officers have been out in conjunction with our colleagues from the roads policing team in both marked and umarked vehicles targetting driver behaviours which are one of the main causal factors for collisions. Three motorists dealt with for excess speed, use of mobile phone and not wearing their seat belt.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 11/08/2018

Officers and staff continue to work closely with colleagues from Roads Policing across the alliance in order to promote road safety and deal with those who transgress the law. Local male arrested this week for drink driving and two others dealt with for driivng offences on the A361, North Devon Link road.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 07/07/2018

Officers and staff continue to focus on road traffic related matters, this month being distractions. In our monthly Police Blog (see attachment on News section) we have also highlighted the need to keep windscreens clear to avoid haze / dazzle from the sun...

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 19/04/2018

Staff from South Molton Policing team are actively working with partner agencies towards improving driver awareness and standards within the local area. Efforts are ongoing through the use of high visibility patrolling, use of unmarked vehicles, specific traffic operations coupled with utilising the local press and social media.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 25/09/2018

There have been lots of roads policing activity across our patch in recent weeks, with people dealt with for drink driving, using mobile phones when driving and parking on the zig zags in the town.

We would also like to encourage you to take the "Road Safety Pledge" as listed in our news article section.

Actioned 26 November, 2018

Priority

Rural Crime initiatives

To address and reduce criminality within the rural community by linking in with our partners on a regular and effective basis. Increase the use of and membership to the Devon Alert scheme.

Issued 19 April, 2018

Action taken

Update: 02 January 2019 - Update 26/11/2018

Efforts continue in support of our rural crime strategy with recent operations undertaken. Reports of criminality across our rural comunities continue to be low, but we are looking to work closely with our communities and partner agencies in an attempt to make it lower still. Please be our eyes and ears when out and about, protect your assets and report any suspicious activity to us immediately.

Update: 02 January 2019 - Updates 18/06/2018

Membership of our Devon Alert cheme has now increased significantly as a result of our efforts and we continue to work closely with our partners and other agencies to keep them informed with the aim of making the area safer thus reducing criminality. This was encouraged during our supportive visit to Mid and East Devon for the Devon County Show....

Update: 02 January 2019 - Update 07/07/2018

The membership to the Devon Alert scheme has increased significantly in our area with communities getting signed up. Please see news article for details on how to sign up.

Update: 02 January 2019 - Update 11/08/2018

Officers and staff continue to patrol the rural area in an effort to disrupt and detect criminality - we are pleased to report that crime in our area remains low at this time. Please continue to look after your assets, keep an eye when out and about and report any suspicious activity to us...

Update: 02 January 2019 - Update 19/04/2018

The Devon Alert scheme (formerly community messaging) has been promoted across the district via various formats and we will continue to do so. This is a very effective tool aimed at crime reduction and reducing the fear of crime within the communities.

Update: 02 January 2019 - Update 25/09/2018

Officers and staff continue to patrol the rural area in an effort to support our rural communities and carry out relevant stop checks - we are pleased to report that crime in our area continues to remain low at this time. Please continue to look after your assets, keep an eye on your areas when out and about and please report any suspicious activity to us at the time...

Update: 02 January 2019 - Rural Crime Operation Exmoor December 2018

A two night Operation was conducted on Exmoor that inteligence and information suggested crime activity would occur. This was a joint operation with other agencies and was succesful in disrupting actrivity and an investigation is now ongoing.

Actioned 2 January, 2019

Priority

Central Park

We have received reports of anti-social behaviour in the central park off Mill street.

Issued 19 April, 2018

Action taken

Update: 26 November 2018 - Update 26/11/18

Officers and staff continue to patrol the park areas around town and have recent dealt with three local youths for unruly behaviour under the Anti-social behaviour act legislation. Efforts continue in conjunction with South Molton Town Council and other partner agencies.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 19/06/18

Local officers Pc JAMES and PCSO WHITEHOUSE carried out foot patrol of the park area this afternoon and spoke to youngsters there. They were very pleasant and were keen to be involved in conjunction with the YMCA to get the skate park area of the park smartened up. Our intention is for all of us to work together to regenerate the area for the benefit of all concerned.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 18/06/2018

Increased patrolling activity continues around the Central park area following on from the recent anti-semitic graffiti that was daubed on the skate park fence. We will continue to work closely with other agencies and the Town council and we are planning a meeting with the YMCA to that end.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 20/07/2018

Foot patrol around the park area and scout hut. Local youths spoken to and one dealt with under Anti-Social behaviour escalation process.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 07/07/2018

Officers and staff continue to patrol the area and work closely with the Town council to improve the situation. A meeting is also being planned with young people in conjunction with staff at the YMCA to progress.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 19/04/2018

Officers and staff are actively patrolling the area and are in discussions with the town council to address the ongoing concerns.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 11/08/2018

We have been advised that wanton damage has been caused to the Pip centre and outside play area in recent weeks which is despicable. We are looking into this and working with both the centre and the Town council in order to reach an amicable solution.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 21/07/2018

Foot patrol around this area, the town centre and Pathfields Business park done by Pc JAMES yesterday evening with no issues apparent.

Update: 25 September 2018 - Update 25/09/2018

Officers and staff continue to patrol the area around Central park and in conjunction with South Molton Town Council are pleased to say that our joint efforts seem to be working in reducing anti-social behaviour in that area...

Efforts will continue....

Foot and mobile patrols continue around the town and area of the YMCA in Mill street. No issues apparent, but there have been recent reports of youths on the roof of buildings around town which is of great concern. We are working closely with the business owners and town council to resolve this issue before it ends in tragedy.